Kilimanjaro Adventure - December 7-16, 2019

Transcription

1 Kilimanjaro Adventure - December 7-16, 2019 Trip Summary: Arrival/Departure airport(s): Siha District, Tanzania, Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) Trip length: 10 days/9 nights (does not include flight time to and from Tanzania) Spots available on trip: Activity level: strenuous Price: rates per person, based on double occupancy, from: Kilimanjaro: $5,195 per person/double occupancy Single supplement: from $445 per person Overview: Our preferred way up Kilimanjaro, the Machame route, has provided us with an extremely high success rate. The route begins from the south, then heads east, traversing underneath Kilimanjaro s southern ice field before summiting. The Machame route is scenically beautiful and varied. As we traverse the flanks of Kilimanjaro, we will walk through six different Eco-zones. The beautiful foliage and stunning scenery add to the mystique of this great mountain. Your efforts will be rewarded with an incredible sense of accomplishment upon reaching the Roof of Africa. Our Serengeti Safari of the Great Rift Valley is a journey steeped both in cultural exploration and wildlife immersion. This luxurious adventure takes us through several National Parks, including: Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Diverse animal and plant life can be seen throughout the journey. You will also have an opportunity to experience varied cultures in these precious areas.

2 Trip Itinerary - 10 days/9 nights Day 1: December 7 Arrive in Tanzania (4,551 ) After you purchase your visa and clear customs, a WWTrek representative will meet you and transfer you to the lodge in Arusha. We will have a welcome reception, meet some of our team, and then turn in for the night. Arrive to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) Welcome reception at Rivertrees Country Inn Day 2: December 8 Arusha Cultural Walking Tour Today after breakfast we will depart for a walking tour from the Rivertrees Country Inn and a tour of a coffee plantation where you can see how coffee progresses from tree to cup. Then, to lodge for a Kilimanjaro briefing and gear check. Tanzanian Cultural Walking tour Orientation and gear check Stay at: Rivertrees Country Inn Day 3: December 9 Machame Trail-head (7,742 ) to Machame Camp (9,498 ) We travel to the Machame trail-head, winding through coffee fields, small villages, and forests of ferns and flowers. After registering with the park service, we gear up with our porters and start the climb. We trek underneath a beautiful rainforest canopy on our gradually ascending journey to the Machame Camp. Trek to Machame Camp - 9,350 Day 4: December 10 Machame Camp (9,498 ) to Shira Camp (12,595 ) We leave the Machame Camp and exit the forest continuing our ascent. The environment changes from heath forest to moorland. Halfway up the trail, we meet the river gorge and ascend across the remote Shira Plateau. We set up camp and sleep at the Shira Cave campsite. Trek to Shira Camp - 12,595 Day 5: December 11 Shira Camp (12,595 ) to Barranco Camp (13,077 ) This morning, after a hearty breakfast, we set out to climb to 14,800. While crossing the ridge at the Lava Tower, we will have great views of the rolling African plains far below. Here we will admire the ancient glacier of the Breach Wall from the Lava Tower (15,090 ). Trek to Barranco Camp - 13,077

3 Day 6: December 12 Barranco Camp (13,077 ) to Karanga Camp (13,235 ) In the beautiful morning light, we climb the breakfast wall, up and over the great Barranco, topping out at about 14,500 ft. We will wind through a gently descending trail down to our camp Karanga, 13,235. This completes another day of acclimatization as we pass below the famous Breach Wall, the largest ice and rock face in Africa. Here daytime temperatures can reach 80 degrees Fahrenheit, while evening temperatures often drop below freezing. Trek to Karanga Valley Camp - 13,235 Day 7: December 13 Karanga Camp (13,235 ) to Kosovo Camp (15,750 ) No doubt a chilly morning, we will greet the sun eagerly as it rises over the mountain to warm our tents. After our typical morning routine, we climb about three to four hours to Barafu Camp for lunch on our way to our high camp, Kosovo. As we wind through these sparsely traveled regions, we enter a high desert plateau, littered with volcanic boulders. Looking south, we view the desert plains as the pinnacles of Mawenzi Peak tower before us. At Kosovo, we will prepare for our summit attempt. While our cook staff prepares our dinner, we will spend our time packing and preparing for the early morning 12:00 a.m. departure for our summit push. Trek to Kosovo Camp - 15,750 Day 8: December 14 Uhuru Peak (19,341 ) SUMMIT DAY We will wake before midnight and prepare for our ascent through the arctic Kilimanjaro. We begin our climb in the darkness, wearing headlamps until the pre-dawn light reflects off the African plains and high mountain glaciers. Following a distinct ridge, we approach the rim of the crater and then traverse to the main summit of Uhuru Peak (19,341)! You will now be standing on the highest free standing mountain in the world, as well as the highest point on the African continent! From here we can view the Bismarck Towers, rock pinnacles along the rim, and the hanging Redman Glaciers. As the sun rises, awakening Africa, we will take in a panorama of incredible views. To our west, the second highest point in Tanzania, Mount Meru (14,977 ), and the southern exposure, reveals the sprawling plains of Tanzania and East Africa as well as the Mawenzi Peak (16,893 ) of Kilimanjaro. After enjoying the view from the roof of Africa, we descend to Kosovo Camp, rest for an hour or two, eat lunch, pack camp, and begin our hike down. Our route takes us down the southern side of the mountain via the Mweka Route. We spend our final night on the mountain at Millenium Camp (12,556 ). Leave pre-sunrise for summit Summit Kilimanjaro - 19,341 Descend to Millennium Camp - 12,556

4 Day 9: December 15 Low Camp (12,556 ) to Mweka Gate (5,380 ) The sun s rays congratulate us with a spectacular light show as we awake below the towering mountain on our final day of our Kilimanjaro journey. We descend through the lush green landscape of the Mweka Route into the thickest jungle we have encountered yet. The environment becomes primordial, with 20 foot-tall fern trees creating a prehistoric atmosphere. Rain is likely and a rain poncho is a smart choice for your comfort. After reaching the Mweka Gate, we will sign out with the rangers and say farewell and thank you to our mountain staff. We will then drive to our lodge for a well-deserved shower and enjoy a celebration dinner. Later that evening we will re-pack gear and brief you on the details of your safari. Descend from Millennium Camp to Meweka Gate - 5,380 Celebration barbecue Overnight: Rivertrees Country Inn Day 10: December 16 International Departures Head toward the Cultural Heritage Center. Here we shop in the largest market in East Africa. The Cultural Heritage Center features the best variety of souvenirs including a large selection of Tanzanian gem stones and local arts & crafts. We enjoy plenty of time to wander around the Heritage Center, art gallery and have lunch. This is your best opportunity to get any last-minute items to remember your experience in Africa. On our way back to the day room at the airport, we will pay a visit to the Human Outreach Project: Kilimanjaro Kids Community. We will have time for a site tour. Afterwards, we will continue on to the day rooms, where you can relax in a day room prior to your departure. You can say your goodbyes and catch your evening flight home or set off on your next adventure. Thank you for joining us! Visit the Cultural Heritage Center in Arusha Kilimanjaro Kids Community site tour Time to refresh in a day room International departures Meals Included: B Optional Add-ons: (see following pages)

5 Serengeti Safari Extension Serengeti Safari Ngorongoro Crater/Serengeti - 4 days/3 nights From $3,500 per person/double occupancy Our Serengeti Safari of the Great Rift Valley is a journey steeped both in cultural exploration and wildlife immersion. This luxurious adventure takes us through several National Parks, including: Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Diverse animal and plant life can be seen throughout the journey. You will also have an opportunity to experience varied cultures in these precious areas. Day 10: December 16 Ngorongoro Conservation Area & Ngorongoro Crater This morning we will make our way to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. After checking in with the park service, we will make our way to the Ngorongoro Crater. We will spend our day driving the world s largest caldera experiencing the wilds of Africa first hand. We will stop for a picnic lunch along the way. We enjoy a group meal while watching the sun set over the crater. Drive to Ngorongoro Conservation Area Afternoon games drive in Ngorongoro Crater, then proceed to camp for sundown Overnight: Ngorongoro Serena Safari Lodge

6 Day 11: December 17 Ngorongoro Crater to Serengeti National Park We will spend our day driving the world s largest caldera on our way to the Serengeti National Park. We will keep a relaxed, comfortable, and safe pace as we make our tour. Morning game drive in Ngorongoro Crater View wildlife from your safari vehicle as we drive to the Serengeti National Park Overnight: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge Day 12: December 18 Serengeti National Park Spend the day touring from the comfort of your own safari vehicle throughout the Serengeti National Park. Full day of game driving in the Serengeti National Park Overnight: Serengeti Serena Safari Lodge Day 13: December 19 Serengeti Drive to Arusha After arriving in Arusha we continue on to the Cultural Heritage Center. Here we enjoy a meal and shop in the largest market in East Africa. The Cultural Heritage Center features the best variety of souvenirs including a large selection of Tanzanian gem stones and local arts & crafts. They offer shipping to the USA and don t pester you with salesmen. We enjoy plenty of time to wander around the Heritage Center, art gallery and have lunch. This is your best opportunity to get any last-minute items to remember your experience in Africa. On our way back to the day room at the airport, we will pay a visit to the Human Outreach Project: Kilimanjaro Kids Community. We will have time for a site tour. Afterwards, we will continue on to the day rooms, where you can relax in a day room prior to your departure. You can say your goodbyes and catch your evening flight home or set off on your next adventure. Thank you for joining us! Morning game drive Visit Serengeti Visitor Center Transfer to Seronera airstrip for your flight to Arusha Visit the Cultural Heritage Center in Arusha Kilimanjaro Kids Community site tour Time to refresh in a day room International departures Meals Included: B/L

7 Rwanda Gorilla Tracking Extension Rwanda Gorilla Tracking: From $4,995 per person/double occupancy 4 day/3 night package, including domestic round trip flight, transfers, lodging, and full board accommodations. Spend an hour a day for two days, with the Gorillas in Rwanda. There are a very limited number of spaces. Day 1: Arrive in Rwanda Arrive to Kigali International Airport (KGL) Transfer to Kigali Serena Hotel Relax in lodge for the evening Overnight: Kigali Serena Hotel Meals Included: D Day 2: Kigali Tour Kigali tour Visit Musanze/Volcanoes National Park Return to lodge Relaxing evening preparing for Gorillas Overnight: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge Day 3: Gorilla Tracking and Burera/Ruhond Lakes Arrival at 7:00AM for Gorilla Tracking briefing Magical hour with gorillas Lunch at hotel Drive to twin lakes of Burera & Ruhond Overnight: Mountain Gorilla View Lodge Day 4: Gorilla Tracking and International Departures Safety briefing Magical hour with gorillas Return to Kigali for lunch and shopping Depart KGL for international departures

8 Zanzibar Extension Zanzibar Island: From $1,900 per person/double occupancy Transfer via charter flight to Zanzibar Island. 4 day/3 night package, including domestic round trip flight, island transfers, lodging, and ½ board accommodations. Day 1: Transfer to Zanzibar Island Connection flight from Arusha to Zanzibar Island Overnight: Zanzibar Resort Meals Included: D Day 3: Transfer to Stone Town Zanzibar Island Transfer to Stone Town Overnight: Zanzibar Serena Hotel Meals Included: B/D Day 2: Relaxing Zanzibar Day Zanzibar Island *optional scuba diving Overnight: Zanzibar Resort Meals Included: B/D Day 4: Stone Town and International Departures Optional tour of Stone Town Fly from Zanzibar to Kilimanjaro Airport International departures home Meals Included: B